HBF Health Review
Overview
HBF Health Fund began its life as the Metropolitan Hospital Benefit Fund to provide Western Australians quality and affordable health care. In four short years, HBF extended coverage to all hospitals in WA and changed its name to the Hospital Benefit Fund.
By the late 80s, HBF had expanded their health services and diversified into travel, home, car, and life insurance. In 2013 the company, now operating as HBF, acquired the Friendly Pharmacy franchise, the first pharmaceutical chain to allow its members to claim their wide range of affordable medical services instantly in store.
Today HBF is one of Australia’s largest health funds and the largest fund in WA with over 800 employees and a membership base of over a million members nationally.
HBF Health Key Facts
Founded: 1941
For-Profit or Not-For-Profit?: Not-For-Profit
Private Hospital Agreements Nationwide: 283
Day Hospital Agreements Nationwide: 259
Headquarters: Perth, WA
Health Deal Represented?: No
HBF Health Hospital Cover
HBF’s hospital policies cover a range of needs to suit people of all ages. These extend from Basic Hospital, which provides cover for accident only, all the way up to Gold Hospital.
Here is a list of some of the current hospital covers available:
- Basic Hospital Plus
- Bronze Hospital Plus
- Silver Hospital
- Silver Hospital Plus
- Gold Hospital
HBF Health Extras Cover
Extras Cover takes care of the everyday healthcare service expenses that are not generally covered under Medicare such as dental services, prescription glasses, and physiotherapy. HBF offers a Flexi Extras option, this allows members to select any 10 extras services that can be swapped around at any time.
Here is a list of some of the current extras covers available:
- Basic Extras
- Saver Flexi Extras
- Standard Extras
- Flexi Extras
- Top Extras
HBF Wait Periods
HBF recognises the waiting periods you have already served with a previous health fund if you switch, this is called “portability”. For first-timers taking out a hospital cover, members who may have lapsed in hospital coverage and those upgrading their level of cover, the waiting periods below will have to be served before members can claim on services:
HBF Hospital Wait Periods
- New Conditions: 2 Months
- Pregnancy and birth-related services: 12 months
- Pre-existing conditions: 12 months
- Rehabilitation & Palliative care: 2 months
- Weight Loss Surgery: 12 months
How Do You Claim Extras With HBF Health?
HBF make claiming extras quick and easy. Here are the 5 ways to claim:
On the spot: Swipe your membership card at a health provider that uses the HICAPS system to have your claim processed immediately.
Via a mobile app: You can lodge a claim using the HBF Health mobile app by submitting a photo of your receipt.
Local Branch: You can claim by visiting any HBF branch with your member card and relevant original accounts and receipts.
Online: You can log into your online account and lodge your claim by providing the details on your receipt.
Mail: Send a completed claim form attached with the original accounts and receipts to: HBF, GPO Box 1440, Perth WA 6839.
HBF Health Gap Cover
HBF’s gap cover is called the Access Gap Cover. If your doctor charges you more than the standard MBS fee, this is known as the ‘gap’ and can leave you with an out-of-pocket expense. Access Gap can help to minimise or eliminate personal expense, however it is the choice of the physician to participate in any specific gap scheme.
HBF Health Insurance: Gap Cover Ratings By State
You can gauge how efficient a gap scheme is by comparing health funds in the same state or territory and determining which of the fund offers a greater proportion of medical services covered at no gap. While it is more likely that a medical service covered under your fund can be utilised at no personal cost to the customer, it is entirely the choice of the physician whether or not to participate in the gap scheme.
Medical Services with No Gaps: The percentage of claims that were fully refunded.
Medical Services with No or Known Gaps: The percentage of claims that were fully refunded, or where the policy holder knew the cost before the surgery was performed.
The information below outlines the percentages of services covered under no-gap and known-gap.
HBF Medical Services with No Gap: 45.3%
Industry Average 79.1%
HBF Medical Services with No or Known Gap: 98.0%
Industry Average: 90.5%
HBF Medical Services with No Gap: 43.1%
Industry Average: 89.5%
HBF Medical Services with No or Known Gaps: 98.9%
Industry Average: 95.7%
HBF medical services with No Gap: 34.8%
Industry Average: 86.7%
HBF medical services with No or Known Gap: 99.6%
Industry Average: 95.1%
HBF medical services with No Gap: 36.4%
Industry Average: 89.2%
HBF medical services with No or No or Known Gap: 99.4%
Industry Average: 94.5%
HBF medical services with No Gap: 36.0%
Industry Average: 89.5%
HBF medical services with No or Known Gap: 99.6%
Industry Average: 96.6%
HBF medical services with No Gap: 87.9%
Industry Average: 84.4%
HBF medical services with No or Known Gap: 99.7%
Industry Average: 96.2%
HBF Medical Services with No Gap: 38.9%
Industry Average: 90.2%
HBF Medical services with No or Known Gap: 99.6%
Industry Average: 96.7%
HBF Medical Services with No Gap: 26.2%
Industry Average: 84.2%
HBF Medical Services with No or Known gap: 99.1%
Industry Average: 93.8%
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